Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 11.pdf/345

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316
The Green Bag.

G. The table placed before the said clerks, whereupon lay the Commonwealth's mace and sword of justice. H. The scale of benches (which were covered with scarlet bays, and the foot-steps matted) reaching up from the floor of the Court within live or six feet of the very glazing of the southwest window of Westminster Hall, whereon sate the rest of the Commissioners. I. The achievement of the Commonwealth of Eng land in direct view of the king.

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of the escutchen, or shield, as the supporters of the Com monwealth. M. The galleries an(l scaffolds on cither side of the court thronged with spectators. N. The floor of the court, matted and kept clear and open (as here represented) by the guards on either side, no person being permitted to abide between the King, the Counsel and the Court, but the known Off1cers and Messen gers appointerl to attend the Court. O. A passage (lined with souldiers on both sides), leading from the Court of Wards into the High Cou1t of Justice, and through which the Commissioners coming from the Painted Chamber made the1r entry into said Court. P. The place where the moving guard with partizans (who, together with the Serjeant-at-arms, and a person carrying the Sword of state or justice, always came along with the Commissioners from the Exchequer Chamber into the Court), stood. Q. The place where the moving guards with partizans (which always attended the King, from Sir Robert Cotton's

House up into the said Court, and back thither again), stood. R. The passage leading from the stair head to the distinct apartment appointed for the king, as aforesaid. S. The partition where the Counsel of the Common wealth, viz. T, U. Cooke, Dorislaus, and Aske, stood alone on the right hand of the King, as he was sitting. V. The stairs by which the King ascended up into the Court out of Westminister Hall. W. The passage leading into Westminister Hall, from Sir Robert Cotton's House, where his Majesty was kept under strong guards in readiness when the Court should from time to time order him to be brought up. X. A large free passage leading from Westminster Hall Gate, straight through the said Hall, within twelve or fourteen feet of the bottom of this Court. Y. Another such passage (going cross the upper end of the last mentioned passage) reaching and extending itself from one side of said Hall to the other. Hoth these passages were strongly rayled to keep the multitude (who, when the Court was set, was freely per mitted to fill the Hall, between the rayls and the wall) from breaking in upon the souldiers, who were planted all along within the rayls, to observe and awe the multitude and secure the Court. Z. The thronging multitudes between the rayls and the Hall walls. The officers walking up and down in the free passages (between the souldiers standing within the rayls) ready to give the necessary orders and commands upon all occasions.